The new INCB report on illicit drug manufacturing equipment: the way forward
To support Governments in addressing illicit drug manufacture, INCB has published the second edition of its technical report on "Illicit Drug Manufacturing Equipment and Article 13 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988."
Published three years after the 2022 edition, this second report contains an analysis of current trends and developments, information related to illicit drug manufacturing equipment, and a review of action taken by Governments and INCB in this very particular and dynamic area of illicit drug manufacture. It also provides Governments with simple, straightforward suggestions aimed at facilitating the operational implementation of article 13 of the 1988 Convention. The full report is now available together with an illustrated summary. Some of the findings of the report are described below.
1. Trends indicate a notable increase in the sophistication and scale of illicit drug manufacturing laboratories
The use of high-quality and sophisticated equipment has increased the efficiency of manufacturing processes, resulting in higher yields as well as improved quality of the end product, particularly in Europe. There is also an increase in the use of custom-made or modified industrial equipment, which makes law enforcement efforts to trace its origin or conduct effective backtracking investigations more complex due to the removal of labels or other identifying elements. To address this evolving threat, the report emphasizes the need to extend monitoring of second-hand markets (and potentially equipment modifiers) for certain types of equipment.
2. Tableting machines are the most commonly reported piece of equipment seized in all the regions of the world
The majority of the seized tableting machines were reported to be commercially produced, new equipment. Often, in order to avoid detection, imported tableting machines are shipped in pieces and subsequently assembled in the country of destination.
3. Supply-side trends, actionable information and equipment investigations
Governments are encouraged to conduct backtracking investigations on seized equipment, to consider exchanging information on equipment-related incidents using the electronic tool PICS, and to monitor the Internet for suspicious postings involving equipment.
4. Cooperation with industry
Governments should consider enhancing knowledge of the nature and extent of the national legitimate industries and operators that supply, adapt or trade in specialized equipment of possible interest to traffickers, and to increase cooperation with them.
5. Legislation and control measures
Governments are encouraged to share regulations and good practices that could serve as a model for other interested countries, such as those published in the Global Repository of National Approaches on Materials and Equipment Used in Illicit Drug Manufacture.
Quick links
- Full report
- Illustrated summary
- 2022 Technical report
- Materials and equipment
- Global Repository of National Approaches on Materials and Equipment Used in Illicit Drug Manufacture
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For further information, please contact:
INCB Secretariat
Tel.: (+43-1) 26060-4163
Email: incb.secretariat[at]un.org
www.incb.org